Chapter 17 - A Night of Celebration

COVYN

I watched Evadiene stand to takeoff her sweater and drape it over the back of the chair. I knew she was doing it because the room got quite warm with all of us and the hot food packed in here, but in doing this she revealed the drop in the neckline of her dress. Different sounds came from those who had seen or been watching her, and I had to stifle my own such sound, but Spencer was immediately, understandably, angered.

He pulled her down to himself, licking up her neck over his mark possessively while he growled in return. She tried not to pull away from him, but one of her eyes squinted up as he did it. I could see him looking at her, worried he’d upset her, but she turned his head to face up to her and she kissed him forcefully.

“Next time swallow your food first,” she grimaced, trying to encourage her hair to hang behind her shoulders and avoid it touching the wet spot, seemingly realizing rubbing at it would be a mistake.

She was right. If she had publicly wiped away his claim on her there would have likely been at least a few people challenging Spencer for her. It was highly unlikely he would lose any of the challenges, those who were strong than him, myself included, all respected him too much to do something like that. Still it would have been quite a spectacle and probably upset her, especially with their claim so new and her still getting used to sharing their feelings.

Ellion barked a laugh before I could and Daley smacked him in the chest.

“It’s fine,” Evadiene assured. “Don’t throw rocks in glass houses right? I’m sure I’ve done more than a few things that wolven would think is weird. And, I mean, what’s a little steak sauce on my neck when I know he’ll apologize with his tongue in my p…”

Spencer slapped his hand over her mouth so fast but she didn’t stop mumbling what she was saying into it. When she stopped she turned toward him, a tight shit eating grin spread ear to ear. Biting once over her bottom lip like she was challenging him and he grabbed her ass, making her squeak.

She kissed his cheek when his expression didn’t change. “I’m sorry Tewpie, I’ll stop teasing you now.”

I signalled someone who had been waiting with another chair to come over, seeing them waiting off to the side for fear of interrupting. I gestured for them to place it between Spencer and me, and Evadiene looked at questionably.

“No offence Evadiene, but I’ve already felt the sting of rejection, I’m not looking at you, and Spencer is less likely to lick gravy up your neck if the others guys have to look at me trying to see you.”

“You’ve been rejected?” She gasped, and it was honestly a big boost to my ego. “I’m sorry Covyn,-“ she corrected, moving to the chair I offered and placing her hand briefly on mine, “- that was ridiculously rude. I don’t have much of a filter, but you can trust me to always be honest,-“ she shrugged, “-so it kinda evens out.”

I chucked. “It’s fine. I know she cared about me, but the Goddess was cruel and paired me to someone who had already found her perfect mate.”

Her face froze for a moment as she looked at me, Spencer moving to wrap his arm around her with a change in her emotions, and she corrected her expression.

“The Goddess… has made mistakes, but I bet your mate is grateful everyday for your sacrifice,” she replied carefully, squeezing Spencer’s hand.

I tried not to look at her too strongly. “Thank you.”

Spencer whispered something in her ear as I caught her turning towards him, like she was trying to comfort herself with his scent, and she nodded in response.

“Her mother was already with her father when a wolven felt the bond… he took her by force, and…” He drifted off as she started looking around the room, but everyone understood.

If she had simply been mated there wouldn’t so such a palpable tension in the air. I had never gotten more to that story from her, not knowing who the alpha was or even how long ago. It wasn’t something to dwell on at this moment though, as drinks were brought out and I watched a pint of beer land in front of Evadiene. She eyed the glass carefully like it could bite her and I suppressed a laugh. Spencer noticed the same thing and leaned over to her, but I wasn’t saving him from this experience.

“Don’t drink?” I asked her as she tapped the glass and watched the bubbles rise.

“No, the problem is I do.”

“Just not beer?”

“Not without a babysitter, it tends to make me reckless.” She continued to eye the glass as she had some of her water like she was debating if it was worth it.

“I’ll do it,” Daley offered and Evadiene gave her an appreciative smile.

“I have a particular brand of crazy, and it to a friend of mine, Ash, multiple tries to deal with me,” she informed and I saw the twinge of jealousy in Spencer as he thought as I had. “I should stick to water.”

“I’ll be with you,” Spencer began, brushing her arm with his fingers. “You can drink if you want to.”

“I don’t kno…”

“Yea come on Eva-deen,” I grinned, “Drink with us, what’s the worst that could happen?”

She giggled and squeezed Spencer’s hand. “Don’t lose me.”

He kissed her nose. “Never.”

When they turned I had my head propped sarcastically on my elbow. “Adorable,” I teased and Evadiene looked like she’d hit me but Spencer held her arm back.

It saddened me slightly that me being the Alpha would prevent a lot of her ability to act naturally around me, but I had her using my name and snapping back at me, which would have to be enough for now. She instead moved her hand to the glass, picking it up and taking a big drink.

“I warned you,” she giggled.

I was going to enjoy this.

AMBROSE

I kept Evadiene in my lap while we were at the table, not noticing fully when she returned to sit with me. Her hand ran distractingly through my hair, rubbing my head. The way her nails ran gently against my scalp… she could control me with that touch alone if she wanted.

Daley had called her over to meet some of the other girls at one point and I watched her with a smile brimming over my face.

“You’re happy,” Alpha said suddenly, looking at me. “I’ve never seen you like this.”

My gaze drifted from her only because I knew it was impolite to not look at him when he spoke to you. “Without a doubt. I would do anything for that woman.She…”

“Fills the emptiness you didn’t now was there?” He asked and I nodded. “It takes a special sort of person to be lucky enough for someone like Evadiene. No one here has the ability to sass me and get away with it, there’s something about her that brings people comfort. I don’t know which of you is luckier to have the other.”

I thought my heart had stopped, I know I wasn’t breathing anymore. To receive a compliment from him of all people, and about my mate…

“Thank you Alpha.”

“Spencer, call me Covyn,” he insisted and every word caught me off guard. “Can’t have your mate calling me Covyn and not you. People will start talking.” He chuckled and I smirked.

He stood and so did I. “Alright, Covyn.”

I hadn’t been permitted to use his first name since before his parents died and we had grown apart. It didn’t make sense for that to change now, but I felt like I was getting my friend back. He clapped a hand on my back and laughed again.

“Loosen up, it’s a party. Another of my men has found their mate and grown the pack, and she seems to be getting along well with the others.” He gestured toward where she had been standing but she wasn’t there.

He looked almost as surprised as I did, and I marched over to Daley. “Where is Evadiene?” I demanded.

She turned around several times. “I swear on the Goddess she was right there a minute ago.”

I groaned angrily, “Daley.”

Ellion came up behind her as she whimpered, “sorry Spencer.”